Adventures in Australia

Several of us senior missionaries went on a 'road trip' and got to see some of the beautiful countryside of Queensland, Australia. We went to the Australia Zoo; home of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. We also went to the Sunshine Coast and I ran along the beach. We saw about 50 kangaroo in the neighborhoods along a beach town! They have "beware of kangaroo" crossing signs on the roads there!! I've also seen "beware of koala" crossing signs too. They say there are also ‘beware of alligator’ signs! It's so funny!!

They have lollies here called bullets. Lollies are candy and bullets are chocolate coated black licorice pieces. Yum! Yum!!!!!

I saw 2 gorgeous parrots in a neighborhood tree the other day; it still amazes me the things we just 'see around'. They have these ‘bush turkey’ all over. They are so scrawny they wouldn’t even be in danger at Thanksgiving, if they had Thanksgiving here. That’s going to be weird!

We went to Mt. Coot-tha forest and it was beautiful. We took a lunch and ate it by the lake. We saw the Fern House, Cactus House, Botanical Garden & Geodesic Dome of Tropical Rain forest Plants and Trees. My favorite tree, of course, was the chocolate tree. Then we took a mini-bus tour around the whole place. Wow! We will go back to see the Japanese Garden and take a closer look at the Rain forest area, Pine tree Area and the lookout over Brisbane.

I finally got to try 'Vega mite' and I didn't care for it. It's a yeast spread, used like peanut butter. Don't know why you would want to eat a yeast spread!! But I HAD to try it; it's big here. I opted for the Nutella!! Surprised??

Adventures of Crocodile Doree

Petting the crocs!!! Fun!!!
(posted by quinn)

Missionary Decorations

Decorations from home LIGHT UP a missionary apartment.

Braving the Kangaroos

The first of the Kangaroo. I'll have better pictures later, I think. I have gotten a little braver around them as I've been around them more.

The Brisban River in front of Brisbane AU

Sis. Lorenc and Sis. Cameron

Australia is wonderful!!!!! It was like summer the first couple of days. My companion is Sister Cameron and I absolutely love her! We have spent the last few days getting the apartment in order and getting oriented. They drive on the wrong side of the road!!! I'm so glad Sister Cameron is from Australia! I don't think we would have a car if she hadn't been. I still have to focus on something else so I don't drive the both of us crazy with my sudden gasps!!!!!!!!!

Week Four

Well, it is definitely a tropical climate here; actually they call it sub-tropic. When it rains or looks like rain, it's not sunny but it's not cold either, at least not outside. It's not cold at night either; colder than during the day but not cold. I have the blanket still in the closet. I have a fan & a heater but haven't had to use either. Did I tell you they have no central heat or air?

We are just coming out of winter here. Spring has sprung! I just heard today that they can have some really hairy hail storms. They have been in a drought so appreciated the rain we got the other day. Oh, I got a picture of a Heron today in our front yard.

I've begun making a list of words that are different. It's fun. They say "Mum" for Mom and I remember my Mother saying that. My companion says that a lot of the words here are English from England. That would make sense cuz my grandfather was born in England! So that's what my Mom would have heard growing up.

Gas is petrol,
biscuit is cookie,

tea is dinner,

brekky is breakfast,

brush & shovel is broom & dustpan,

uni is university,

gob is mouth

and

chuffed is pleased.

They talk very fast and it's actually often really hard to understand; almost like another language. It's beautiful, I love it!

I am not tracting. I was originally assigned to work in the Mission Office but my assignment was changed when I got here. We are working on establishing an English as a Second Language class in the area and also working with less active and new members. I'm loving it! We're still in the process of getting the ELS organized. We are looking for locations and I think the biggest thing is going to be finding the students. We have visited 3 classes; one that the missionaries are doing in Brisbane City, another with the missionaries at the Institute in Brisbane and another class that a Chinese church is doing. We will begin our first class at our church building on Wednesday evening. We are on the outskirts of Brisbane but not in the outback. We will be teaching Chinese, Sudanese, Samoan & Tongan's. It should be fun.

My hour of personal scripture study in the morning is amazing!!! We went into Brisbane to visit a class and it was next door to the Brisbane Temple. The Temple sight was gorgeous!!!!!
It's on the Brisbane River with the city of Brisbane in the background. Breathtaking. I must have taken a dozen pictures. The chapel next to the temple is beautiful; almost looks like a temple itself. Life is great here.

Beautiful weather, wonderful people and serving the Lord. Who could ask for more??? But I get more. Today we spent an absolutely marvelous day at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It was amazing. I can’t tell you how beautiful it was; the smells, the plant life & the animals. So many animals, birds & flowering trees which I have never seen before. I wore a new set of batteries out in my camera! This place reminds me so much of Hawaii. I love it! We saw & got to pet the Koala’s & Kangaroos. It was amazing. They were all over the place!

I’m really in Australia!!!!!!!!!!

At the MTC

I'm here at the MTC and what a wonderful experience. I can't help but think of my 5 sons every time I do something. Some of the places & things I remember when I brought them in. The new boys came in today; it's Wednesday. How fun that was! Whenever I tell someone where I'm going, they are so jealous. It makes me even more excited every day. I'm learning lots and the spirit is strong and wonderful here. I love it. This weekend I can leave campus; who's going to come get me??? Just kidding. Michelle said they would come if they lived here in Provo. What a sweetheart she is!!!!!!! I'm doing great. Ok Quinn, I'll go unpack my camera and take some pictures and maybe try my hand at adding some pictures next time, since I've finally been successful at adding a new post, thanks to Michelle & Tuesdi. Thanks for your love, support & prayers.
I love you all!!!!!! Kisses & hugs to the grandkids.

In the beginning

Tuesdi is helping me begin a blog I am hoping to use on my mission. Here goes.